I think all of us know that we could manage our time and schedules better. It seems like every week something gets lost in the shuffle or issues come flying out of left field that derail our ministry train.

And whenever there are interruptions to the schedule, it's the time for what really matters that is affected the most.

On today's podcast, we talk to Ken Shigematsu about how he discovered the "Rule of Life" and how it has transformed his life and ministry. Ken talks about transitioning from being a "7-11" man to developing a rhythm that helps him keep the most important things at the forefront of his life so he can discover God in everything.

Ken Shigematsu is the Lead Pastor of Tenth Church in Vancouver BC Canada. Ken is the author of God In My Everything - How An Ancient Rhythm Helps Busy People Enjoy God.

For more on managing your ministry time and schedule, check out episode 128 with our great friend John Finkelde, read Jeff's classic blog about how much he hates the idea of time management, and re-listen to Dave Jacobs talking about the essential five priorities for small church pastors.

We are so grateful to Ken for his time and we would encourage you to pick up his book and begin to implement your own "Rule of Life." If you already have a rule of life, we'd love to hear about it and how it has worked for you! Email us anytime -- jeff@200churches.com or jonny@200churches.com.

God bless!

Jonny (and Jeff)

BELOW IS A VIDEO INTRO TO KEN'S CHURCH...

Jeff and I get asked to speak once in awhile to groups of pastors and church leaders, and there is a question that we are always, inevitably asked:

What's the number 1 issue facing small church pastors?

After 4 years of doing this podcast and talking to pastors from all over the world, we've heard about nearly every issue a pastor could face. Financial struggle. Disgruntled members. Sexual temptation. The list goes on. But there is one constant issue that we hear time and time again, and that is that small church pastors feel lonely and isolated.

It's one thing to know the problem and another thing completely to offer a solution, and our guests today understand both.

Tim and Barb Claxton are coaches who work with pastors across the country. The main issue they say they see? Loneliness. On today's podcast, they talk about that issue among others and offer some hope to struggling pastors.

In fact, Tim and Barb were so excited to work with pastors that they've offered up a special coaching package specifically for our 200churches listeners. They have five openings for a 3-month coaching package - and if you email them during this month of January, 2017, they will offer you a 3-month coaching package for $300, where you will have two 45-minute coaching calls each month. Email them at info@fulfillyourdestinycoaching.com. 

If you are mired in loneliness and/or isolation, we want you to know that there is hope. We would encourage you to connect with a coach or other pastors or even shoot us here at 200churches an email. Because what you're doing is important, and you deserve all the support in the world.

Two resources we would point you toward is one of our blog posts titled 5 Ways To Tell If You're An Isolated Pastor, and a conversation Carey Nieuwhof had with us on his podcast, The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast titled, What Smaller Church Pastors Need And Why. 

Again, email Tim and Barb at info@fulfillyourdestinycoaching.com or visit their website at www.fulfillyourdestinycoaching.com.

God bless you Pastors! See you next Wednesday!

Jonny (and Jeff)

When you hear, "we implemented systems in our church to make sure everything got covered", do you get queezy and lightheaded? Does administration and project management leave you nauseous and mentally fuzzy? Then this will be a stress reducing episode for you!

Setting up systems in your 200church is maybe not easy, but it might actually be simple if you follow Rich's commonsense approach.

Rich Birch actually shares a way to approach system development in your church in a simple, non-intimidating way. He also shares the skinny on his babies, The UnSeminary Podcast and UnSeminary.com!

Check out Rich's book at www.unreasonablechurches.com. It's the stories of other churches who stopped copying the models from other churches, and tried something new!  Maybe that's the story of your church?

​Rich offers coaching here!

Follow Rich on Twitter @RichBirch.

Justin Irving is the Director of the Doctor of Ministry program and a Professor at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul MN.

Andrew Gross is the Discipleship Pastor at Bethel Christian Fellowship Church in St. Paul MN and has co-authored a book with Justin exploring the intersection of leadership resiliency and differentiation of self.

This is a great episode where discuss with these guys the importance of a pastor's self differentiation in his ministry leadership. How do we lead our church family with a non-anxious presence that calms and guides, reassures and inspires? How do we stay connected with people who are in crisis without allowing their crisis to sidetrack us personally?

This episode comes on the heels of episode 199 with Jeannine Brown and episode 201 with Ray Hollenbach. Check them out if you haven't already as we discuss the concept of differentiation of self. This will be very helpful to you in understanding your own leadership strengths and weaknesses.

We also talk about opportunities at Bethel Seminary for advanced ministry degrees, and how Bethel offers them to pastors who want to stay in their ministries while still going "back to school". You will enjoy this!

Links to assessments mentioned in this episode:

Myers and Briggs Assessment
DISC Assessment
StrengthFinders Assessment
Enneagram Assessment

Justin Irving also has some great Logos Mobile Ed courses available on Pastoral Leadership. These courses are serious and significant! He outlines them in his blog post here!

Also, click on the images below to buy the books we mentioned written by Peter L. Steinke and Edwin Friedman. (These are not affiliate links. We receive nothing if you buy them... except the satisfaction of your personal growth!) :-)